XOXO, Kindle Girl

Brutal – a word that describes both the intensely heartbreaking upbringing of Tara Westover… and the experience I had reading this memoir.

There are absolutely readers out there that this book was written for, I just happen to not be one of them. While her story was well told, I struggled to get through the repetitiveness of the cycle that was her life. Abuse, justifying the abuse, more abuse. While I know and respect that this was her experience, I was hoping for a more poignant resolution to her story.

It’s hard to review a memoir; these authors write their lives as they experienced them. Who am I to take away from that?! BUT I want to be you guide into knowing if this book is right for you or not. If you are looking for an uplifting story in how important education is, or a “how to” guide for getting a college education without a formal education as a child… this book provides neither.

I know this book is critically acclaimed and one of the higher rated books on most book reviewing sites – but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone, and that’s okay!

xoxo, Kindle Girl

PS – absolute 10/10 book cover – I didn’t notice the details until writing this post!

Ideal For: Serious memoir readers who are looking for a devastating look into some of the realities of growing up off the grid

Vibe: Layered, serious, heavy

Spice:  None, but check abuse trigger warnings. Lots of explicit recounts of physical and emotional abuse

Tropes and Elements: Religious sects, coming of age, Mormon upbringing, survivalism, apocalyptic preparedness, severing family ties

Series: None

Formats: Hardback, paperback, and audible versions all also available.

Summary: Tara Westover grows up in a survivalist family in Idaho—no school, no doctors, just a whole lot of isolation. But this girl seems to know there’s something else out there, so she teaches herself and eventually breaks free, earning a spot at, gasp, Cambridge and, gasp, Harvard.

This isn’t just a story about a girl going to school; it’s about breaking free from the chains of her past and building an identity for herself when the world she knew refuses to let go. Tara fights to get her education, but every step forward is a tug-of-war with the family she loves—and also fears. With every degree, she’s tearing down walls, but also creating new ones, especially with her incredibly intense family.

From mountains to classrooms to a degree at Cambridge (yes, seriously), Tara’s journey is a lesson in resilience… and how an education can change your life.